by DC Jobs with Justice | Oct 24, 2012 | Campaigns, Press, Walmart: Respect DC
Coalition says developer does not deserve Developer of the Year Award when their projects are harming communities and displacing residents. WASHINGTON, D.C., October 24 – Calling for an end to development that has been bringing low wage, part time jobs and displacing longtime residents, Respect DC rallied at noon today outside the Wardman Park Marriott in DC where the JBG Companies were receiving the “Developer of the Year” award from NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, at their annual meeting, which costs over $1000/per person to attend. “Developers should not be rewarded for displacing residents and bringing jobs that make it impossible to live in the area and support a family,” said Mike Wilson, with DC Jobs with Justice. “DC and the region need more affordable housing, and jobs that allow people to work full time for a living wage. Fighting to stop the First Source hiring law, bringing a low wage employer like Walmart, and replacing affordable housing units with luxury condos and hotels, only harms our community.” Respect DC is calling on JBG to bring Walmart to the table with community groups and sign a Community Benefits Agreement before they move forward on any projects with the retailer. They also demand that JBG, which sits on the board of the Associated Builders and Contractors, the group suing the DC government over the recently strengthened First Source Hiring Law, call on ABC to drop the law suit. In addition, they joined with Tenants and Workers United in calling on JBG to preserve affordable housing and not displace more than 2,000 working families residing the Beauregard redevelopment zone...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 14, 2012 | Campaigns, Press, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC, Wage Theft
PRESS RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE June 14, 2012 DC WORKERS UNION, DC JOBS WITH JUSTICE, AND METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE NEW PROCEDURE TO RESOLVE WAGE THEFT COMPLAINTS CONTACT: Arturo Griffiths DC Jobs with Justice PHONE: 202-445-0411 CONTACT: Rachel Sier DC Jobs with Justice PHONE: 202-427-2172 District of Columbia day laborers (Unión de Trabajadores de DC/DC Workers Union) and DC Jobs with Justice announce the development of a new procedure to involve the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating and documenting wage theft cases. On Thursday, June 14th the members of the Unión de Trabajadores de DC/DC Workers Union and DC Jobs with Justice will celebrate this new accord with representatives from the MPD and DOES. The celebration will be held at 7 PM at the Foundry Church located at 1500 P St. NW, Washington, DC For the past several years DC Jobs with Justice has been working with immigrant day laborers to address the rampant problem of wage theft that affects workers throughout the District of Columbia. Wage theft occurs when workers do not get paid for work performed or are laid off without being paid their salary. Carlos Diaz, a member of la Union de Trabajadores de DC, says “Many of us work long hours to make ends meet. But frequently contractors refuse to pay what we are owed at the end of the day. We are happy that the D.C. police will now get involved in assisting us to recover our wages”. This procedure defines the role of the police in supplementing existing institutions by creating a standard protocol and training for officers...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 5, 2012 | Press, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC
For Immediate Release Contact: Sarahi Uribe, NDLON, 202.285.9673 sarahi@ndlon.org Community Applauds DC Council for Passing Emergency Detainer Compliance Act on Day of S-Comm Activation Washington DC Maintains Bright Line Between Police and Wrongful Deportation Policies June 05, 2012. Washington, DC. The Washington, DC Council was praised by a wide coalition of community, faith, and labor organizations for passing the Immigration Detainer Compliance Emergency Amendment Act in response to today’s federally imposed activation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s controversial “Secure Communities” deportation program. The act, which was introduced by Councilmember Mendelson, will limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s use of District facilities and equipment and also narrows S-Comm’s deportation dragnet by only responding to immigration detention requests for individuals who are over 18 and have been convicted of a dangerous crime. Last fall the permanent version of the act, the Immigration Detainer Compliance Amendment, was unanimously co-sponsored by all DC councilmembers. The act builds upon the Mayor’s Order 2011-174 (October 19, 2011) that prohibits all public safety agencies from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status or transmitting information about immigration status. Sarahi Uribe of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network says, “We’re proud to live in a city with a bright line guarding against unjust deportation policies that erode trust, divide our communities, and endanger our families. DC has joined a growing trend of local governments that care about protecting the safety and rights of their residents. When DHS Secretary Napolitano spread S-Comm throughout the country, it triggered a movement that is growing stronger by the day to resist and overcome the criminalization of immigrants.” Paromita Shah of National Immigration Project says,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Dec 12, 2011 | Actions & Events, Campaigns, Newsletter, Press
Verizon was declared the winner of the Scrooge of the Year contest at the DC Jobs with Justice Winter Cabaret on December 10th. The Scrooge of the Year is a company or person who has done dastardly deeds to workers in Washington, D.C.. Some of the other nominees were Solanges Vivens, Liberty Maritime, Capital Grille, Daycon Products,John Hill,Governor Scott Walker, and Walmart. It was a very close race between Verizon and top competitor Walmart, but Verizon won the title with 2013 votes. Because Verizon is the Scrooge and it is the Holiday season, DC JWJ will be singing labor carols in front of Verizon Wireless stores. For more information on how you can take part in this fun action contact Lillian at 202-974-8281 or 202-542-1543, email lshelton@dclabor.org. Photo courtesy of Rachel...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Dec 1, 2011 | About, Newsletter, Press
rnDC Jobs with Justice is proud to announce that Nikki Daruwala will be joining our staff as our new Executive Director!rnrnNikki will be coming to DC JwJ from American Rights at Work, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the freedom of workers to form unions and bargain collectively. At ARAW she directed the Socially Responsible Business Program, a program she founded six years ago. In this capacity, Nikki engaged with responsible employers, investment professionals, and academic scholars who support ethical corporate labor practices and protect workers’ rights. rnrnPrior to joining American Rights at Work, she established, led, and managed the advocacy programs and strategies at Calvert Investments, including shareholder engagements on a variety of corporate responsibility issues. Previously, she was employed by the Food and Allied Service Trades Department of the AFL-CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), where she contributed to and led national advocacy campaigns to help workers gain union representation and bargaining rights. Nikki is a graduate of Ithaca College and holds an MS in industrial and labor relations from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She is a founding member of the Child Labor Coalition, a long-time Girl Scouts leader, and currently serves on the Advisory Committee for the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and the Board of Green America. rnrnWe are excited by the experience and vision Nikki brings to DC JwJ. Though Nikki will not officially start with us until February, you can meet her at our Winter Cabaret on Dec. 10th from 8pm to 11:30pm at St. Stephen’s Church (1525 Newton St NW) in Washington,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jun 20, 2011 | Actions & Events, Press
Please join us for the 9th Annual “I’ll Be There” AwardsrnrnThursday, June 23rdrn5:30 to 7:30pm rnSamuel Gompers’ room at the AFL-CIOrn815 16th St NW. rnrnThe event will feature performances by women’s a cappella group SongRise and performance artist Quique Aviles, as well as wine, beer and light fare.rnrnEach year we honor labor and community leaders for exceptional solidarity. This year’s honorees are:rnrnHead-ROCrnDubbed “The Mayor of DC Hip Hop,” Head-Roc is a renowned artist and activist who has played a central role in the local movement for social justice. He has come to embody the passions, hopes and dreams of a talented but too often overlooked DC Black music scene. He has never hesitated to lend his considerable talent to local struggles,recording songs for Empower DC and the Teamsters and performing at countless rallies and actions. Head-Roc has had a number of solo and group effort album releases in his career, and his songs have been featured on dozens of nationwide mix-tape and compilation CD releases. Head-Roc has enjoyed performing and promoting his music across the United States as well as parts of Europe, bringing his music and political analysis to thousands of socially progressive, conscious, and independent music lovers. Currently, Head-Roc is promoting his latest critically acclaimed release The “Empower DC” Project, working on a debut album and other projects with his Award winning Funk, Rock and Soul Band GODISHEUS (gotta-see-us). He also serves as the first ever Arts Ambassador for the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA).rnrnSarahi Uribe of the National Day Labor Organizing NetworkrnSince moving to Washington, DC in 2008, Sarahi has made enormous contributions to...
